Ottawa is committed to protecting “exceptional” bird sanctuaries on the island of Nova Scotia

The federal government wants to designate three isolated Nova Scotia islands as national wilderness areas.

The move would provide additional protection to prevent habitat destruction, restrict access and limit human use of the sites.

“I think it’s actually a really big deal,” said Bob Bancroft, a biologist and president of Nature Nova Scotia, an ecology advocacy group. “All of these three locations are exceptional.”

The proposed natural areas are St. Paul Island, 15 miles off northern Cape Breton, Country Island in Guysborough County, and Isle Haute in the Upper Bay of Fundy.

For the birds

Country Island is home to 25 percent of Canada’s nesting population of endangered rosy terns.

Isle Haute has 100 meter high cliffs and provides an undisturbed habitat for 60 bird species.

Access to both would be prohibited year-round without a permit. Permission is currently required, as is permission for some activities such as campfires.

The wildlife designation adds a prohibition against moving, damaging or removing artifacts or natural objects to protect habitats for migratory birds and endangered species in any location.

A permit is required for entry to St. Paul Island from April through the end of August. Between September and March, hiking, wildlife watching, foraging for edible plants and mushrooms, and docking would be allowed.

St. Paul Island is home to the endangered Bicknell’s Thrush and Leach’s Petrel, and is a stopover for migrating songbirds.

“The reality is that these places are better off when there aren’t many people anyway,” says Bancroft. “I think we have to learn to let nature be the dominant force in a few parts of this province.”

Environment Canada taking over islands

Environment and Climate Change Canada published a notice about its plans earlier this month, launching a 30-day public comment period.

The department recently took over management of the islands – which total 588 hectares – from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which retains control of small parcels of land on each island for aids to navigation.

Environment Canada has not provided anyone to discuss its plan.

But the official notice says: “The designation of a National Wildlife Area under the proposed regulations would provide protection for a large number and wide range of species, enhancing the conservation and protection of local wildlife species, including endangered species, and their habitats. .”

It says the current situation does not prevent hunting or protect against habitat destruction and does not allow direct management of human use of the sites.

“In comparison, the National Wildlife Area designation… would provide protection for a large number and wide range of species, enhancing the conservation and protection of local wildlife species, including endangered species, and their habitats.”

Mi’kmaw connection recognized

Treaty rights negotiators for the Mi’kmaq lobbied Ottawa to limit public access to Isle Haute.

The department says there are records of indigenous use there going back 600 to 800 years, and evidence that artifacts have been looted.

Indigenous peoples would not need a permit to visit Isle Haute if they are visiting to exercise an established treaty right.

No one was available for comment from the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs.

The department says it is also working with the Mi’kmaq to identify indigenous names for the national wilderness areas and discuss what role the Mi’kmaq would like to play in co-management.

Praise from group suing Environment Canada

Nature Nova Scotia and East Coast Environmental Law are currently taking the federal Secretary of the Environment to court, claiming the department has weakened habitat protections for the endangered plover

But Bancroft has nothing but praise for this designation.

“It’s great to see the federal government doing something like this,” he says. “That’s great.”